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Guardianship

This portal covers information about the relationship between the guardians and the ward with an emphasis on the rights of the ward, but also relates to the rights of the guardian.

The institution of guardianship is meant to avoid situations in which people who cannot manage their own affairs are left without protection. A court may appoint a guardian to represent another (a ward) for all legal and other matters, according to the authorities defined by the court, while always keeping the ward's best interest in mind.
Aside from appointing a guardian there are other situations in which a person may be unable to make decisions or perform certain actions because of his/her condition. For example someone may be appointed as an official decision supporter to help someone who has a hard time making decisions (but not make the decisions in his/her place). Additionally a fully functioning person may anticipate a point in the future when he/she won't be able to make decisions and can give a future permanent power of attorney to a power of attorney to make decisions on his/her behalf. (The person can also establish ahead of time what types of decisions the power of attorney has the authority to make.)